Zoek
English
  Studiegidsen 2013-2014
Radboud UniversiteitStudiegidsenFaculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde en Informatica > Mastervarianten

Risk Communication 

(Vakcode)
Course ID
NWI-FC003B
(Studiepunten)
Credits
3
(Periode)
Scheduled
derde kwartaal
Collegerooster opvragen
SWS / PersoonlijkRooster
Teaching methods (Werkvormen)
  • 4 hrs guided group project work
  • 1 hrs guided individual project work
  • 9 hrs lecture
  • 16 hrs group project work without guidance
  • 9 hrs problem session
  • 45 hrs individual study period
Pre-requisites (Vereiste voorkennis)
The course builds on the introductory course on Science Communication from the Mastertrack Science Communication, and is part of the obligatory part of the Mastertrack. In addition, the course is open as an optional course for all MSc. Students
Objectives (Leerdoelen)
  • Students articulate the place of risk in society, its characterization, and the implications for communication
  • Students critically reflect on existing cases and practices in Risk and Uncertainty Communication
  • Students are familiarised with determinants of public perception of Risk and Uncertainty
  • Students are familiarised with the role of the different actors and stakes in Risk Communication (for instance companies, government, local population) and how to position themselves among these actors
  • Students get acquainted with the models from behavioral psychology and learn to use them in explaining and influencing risk behavior
Contents (Beschrijving)
Present day society has been characterised as a Risk Society. In the last decade, the risk society has been hugely influential, serving as a stimulus for academic, environmental and political dialogue. The communication of risk and the public understanding of risk have become important issues in Science Communication. This course aims to prepare students to actively engage in risk communication and to analyse, reflect on and assess risk communication practices (e.g. Vaccination, Nuclear Energy, global climate change).

Risk communication will be presented as a tool to supply laypeople with the information they need to make informed, independent judgments about risks to health, safety, or the environment. It often aims to induce risk prevention or mitigating behavior, but besides empowering individuals to make informed decisions concerning their own health or the environment it can also support and inform societal decision making processes. So target groups can be different publics: citizens, policy makers, company holders, interest groups, etc. It is not the aim of this course to train you in designing a communication strategy, as this is the aim of the course "science and societal interaction".

This course combines a practical and theoretical component. Discussions among students, teachers and guest speakers are matched with analyses of current scientific insights on issues of risk communication, risk perception and uncertainty.

Subjects (Onderwerpen)
Possible cases we discuss are:
  • Nuclear energy
  • Food safety: the case of the EHEC bacteria found in vegetables
  • HPV/ Hepatitis-B vaccination
  • Chemical powerplants: the case of Chemiepack
  • Mexican Flu
  • Nanotechnology and more...
Examination (Tentaminering)
Group assignment, examination
Literature (Literatuur)
Literature will be made available on Blackboard
Extra information (Bijzonderheden)
Foreign students should contact the teacher 3 weeks in advance